CREATIVE DAILY

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6/18/10

WHERE BLOGGERS CREATE - COME ON IN.....

For many years my creative time was limited due to life, career and space constraints. I found with a minimum of time to create, I didn't want to waste time hunting for supplies. Organization skills come naturally to me and I hope by sharing my space with you, I'll also provide you with some ideas and perhaps inspire you along the way!!! Come on in for a visit.....

When you look in the doorway, this is what you will see!

The room was our previous rec room and measures 19'x13'. The cabinetry was built to store toys etc. When we bought this house 18 years ago the walls had a puppy themed border print (don't know what I was thinking). I painted the cabinetry and customized it for my purposes with the shelving above the fireplace added last year. The floor is linoleum (looks like cork) for easy clean up. I picked up the center table at a thrift store, added new legs. It is covered with oil cloth which can be wiped down easily.

Now, I did clean up for your visit!! It looks like this when I'm having a class or in between projects but when I'm creating, it gets messy! I will post a photo in the future when I'm in the middle of a project. Currently, I'm doing a lot of digital.

Clean up takes me 15 minutesor less - NO KIDDING because I have a place for everything.... So, let's take a closer look....I had been looking for a chest of drawers for some time and came across this last year at a liquidation store. You can see the before photo in this post.I removed four of the drawers, added a false base (plywood), painted the entire piece off white, added clock doorknobs (love these) and inserted storage boxes/drawers from Ikea. These are covered with scrapbook papers and spray painted. Metal label holders on the drawers are from Lee Valley Tools. In order to give the appearance of a sideboard, I added slat wall above this which was trimmed with stock molding. I love the flexibility this wall provides as I can change the contents depending on my interests and needs.Now, I had four extra drawers left over from this project. I'm very lucky to have a retired woodworker across the street who "customizes" things for me. He built a frame for the drawers to create a dresser which I painted. The drawer handles were very ugly so I spray painted these black.I have one additional cabinet which was built as a work station. I generally create standing up with the exception of sewing. I'll either create at this work station or at the table in the center of the room and quite frequently both. This next photo is of the cupboards and shelving next to the window seat. The stamps I use most frequently are on small shelves with boxes/bins containing various supplies. I find it really convenient to pull down a bin/box when I'm creating (makes for very easy clean up too).

When I took over this space, the window seat had large spaces where bins were stored. When I moved into the room I had these customized with drawers.

Now, I know a tour wouldn't be complete without seeing inside some of these drawers. Have also added a little corner I like.

So, there you have it! I hope you've enjoyed your visit as much as I've enjoyed sharing my space. I spend most days in here, along with my art critic (he doesn't get too excited about much) with the occasional visit from my hubby.

It is a luxury to have my own space and I enjoy and appreciate all the time I spend here. I've come a long way from my first "studio" - a closet! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask and come visit again!For those of you who follow my blog regularly, I'm going to take a break while I visit all of YOUR studios! I'll be returning to regular posting on July 5th!

63 comments:

Oh, how absolutely wonderful! I'm ready to pop on over and have an art day with you! Very lovely and I also love all the lighting you get. Having that bright glow is so nice! I also love all your storage. I think having it look so organized and inviting inspires creativity! Thank you for sharing! LOVE IT!oxoxoZinnia

Wow, and wowwwwww! What a fabulous space to create! I used to think I was organized, now I'm not sure. I need you to come to my studio and HELP me, please. You don't live far from Illinois, do you? lol Sheesh, I might even be willing to pay for plane fare.....

I love your space, No I really mean it, I love it! What a fabulous place to create.. How cool would it be to have a fireplace in my space!I just love all the little niche' you have to put all your goodies. Your bench seat with the drawers under it is amazing.. Love it. I could go on and on, but I must stop now! Thank you for your wonderful tour! I had a great time looking at your space!

Lorraine! You've really created such a fantastic space. Love all of your storage. What a clever idea to remove those four drawers from your sideboard, and how lucky to have that cute dresser built to reuse them in. I'm in lust with the small drawers under the window seat. Thank you for sharing.

Hubba hubba!! What a great space to create all your dreams and ideas! So light and airy! Bonus having the fireplace and your own personal critic! Thanks for letting us take a peek at your personal space! Drool bibs are in order! hee hee

Lorraine, thank you so much for joining the party and sharing this wonderful space! I gathered many wonderful ideas from your room. You must spend as much time in there as possible! Have a wonderful time touring all the other spaces!xo,KarenMy Desert Cottage

I love your creative space! Organized to the max is always a plus! More time to create and less time hunting down just that one last item you need. It is no wonder your creations are wonderful!!! Of course I am certain that the art critic keeps you from losing sight of "wonderful"

Lorraine your room is just beautiful! I think my favourite is the drawers from Ikea - they look smashing! I love the fireplace too - it makes it so warm and cozy looking even though it's one of the most spacious, light filled studios I've seen so far. I will definitely be back in July!

You have made a place where function and beauty collide. The chest of drawers, the shallow drawers under the window seat, and your cupboard you stand at are all great storage spaces and make this room truly beautiful and unique. Like you, I stand when I craft, except when I sew.

Your studio is so beautiful, so well appointed, so functional, and so full of inspiration. Thanks for sharing.

Great space! I love the dresser you took the drawers out of and then the new one you got to use the drawers in! Very clever ~ two pieces of storage out of basically one. Love all the light you have in here. I tend to stand a lot when I am making things too. Sometimes I have to force myself to sit down!

Wonderful bright space.. .and so organized too! It's a blessing to have a place to spread out and get messy...and organizaion is key for a quick clean up.. I find I need a mix of both... creating is messy, but tidiness clears my head and prepares me for the next project! Thanks for sharing yoru space... Love all your furniture re-purposing and custom shelving too! Happy Creating and Dandelion Wishes,Deb

Wow I love the Ikea drawers and your window bench with all the drawers! I can't believe you made it to all the blogs already, I, just got to yours now and working my way down the list, however I did leave a comment on each and everyone and I think that is where some of the time goes but since everyone, my self included tried to clean up and organize for the party I felt everyone deserved a comment as they all are special. Thanks for sharing. XOXO

What I wouldn't do to have your floor space! Your organization is awe-inspiring, too. Sorry I'm so late to visit, but I'm so glad I stopped by. True creative space inspiration. Thanks for sharing. I'll be visiting again!xoxoDonna

Now, I think I have found my dream studio, love all the different starage spaces you have (my favourite is the window seat with the wide drawers), oh lets not forget the fireplace, oh my, I could create by that one for hours during the winter months. So when can I move in : ) LOL!!! You have a ownderful space and very cute kitty.

So organized! So am I until I craft and then I dont know exactly what happens, but when the magic is over I am left with a mess! I have been a papercrater for over 10 years, however I have been drawn to mixed media more and more lately. I am new to blogging (2 wks!) but hope to participate next year. Thanks for sharing your space, its lovely! ~Sherry F.

I enjoyed the little tour of your lovely, organized shop. My main creative space is 6' x 8', and it's also part library for some of our book collection. I'm going to see if I can take over another bookshelf or two to store supplies. :-) First I need to find a place for the books.